HISTORIC PASSENGER TRAIN ROUTES

CENTRAL STATION

Main intercity passenger routes out of Chicago.

Links to "railfan timetable" information for present railroads, whether successor Amtrak service or freight only, along with information on abandoned routes. Also included are current or "classic" track diagrams.

Station was owned by Illinois Central, which operated most trains serving the station. Additional trains were operated by New York Central. Illinois Central eventually became part of CN.

Illinois Central

Passenger service continues under Amtrak. Trains now use Union Station.

Trains used above Illinois Central route between Chicago and Kensington.

Passenger service discontinued via this route in 1957, after which trains began using New York Central's former Lake Shore & Michigan Southern route between La Salle Street Station and Porter. Much of this route in Indiana became part of Indiana Harbor Belt. Amtrak service to Detroit continues east of Porter, now using Union Station in Chicago.

Trains used above Illinois Central route between Chicago and Kankakee.

Passenger service discontinued by Amtrak via this route in 1973, due to deteriorated track conditions on what had become Penn Central Railroad. Much of that trackage was assumed by short line operator Kankakee Beaverton & Southern.

Passenger service originally discontinued in 1971 with the creation of Amtrak. Between 1974 and 1981, Amtrak operated service to Dubuque, using the former Alton/Gulf Mobile & Ohio route between Union Station and Bridgeport